XIX. The abrupt change in rhythm, and apparently in thought, at Psalms 19:7 of this poem suggests a compilation from two originally distinct pieces. This view, it is true, is not supported by any ancient texts or versions, and, among modern scholars, there are some of eminence who still maintain the... [ Continue Reading ]
THE HEAVENS DECLARE. — Better, _the heavens are telling._ The poet is even now gazing at the sky, not philosophising on a familiar natural phenomenon, nor is he merely enjoying beauty. Not only is his æsthetic faculty satisfied, but his spirit, his religious nature is moved. He has an immediate appr... [ Continue Reading ]
UTTERETH. — Literally, _ours out,_ or _makes to well up,_ like a fountain, undoubtedly in reference to the light streaming forth. SHEWETH. — Literally, _breathes out;_ perhaps with reference to the cool evening breeze, so welcome in the East. (See Song of Solomon 2:17, Note.) Notice that it is not... [ Continue Reading ]
THERE IS NO SPEECH. — The literal rendering is _Not speech, not words, their voice is not heard._ Explaining this is (1) the English version (Bible and Prayer Book) and (if intelligible at all) the LXX. and Vulg.: “There is no speech nor language without their (the heavens’) speech being heard (_i.e... [ Continue Reading ]
THEIR LINE. — Heb., _kav,_ a cord, used of a plummet line (Zechariah 1:16); a measuring cord (Jeremiah 31:39, where also same verb, _gone forth_). In Isaiah 28:10, the word is used ethically for a definition or law. But neither of these seems very appropriate here. The verse wants _sound_ or _voice,... [ Continue Reading ]
WHICH IS. — Better, _and he is._ The suddenness of the Oriental sunrise is finely caught in the image of the uplifted tent-curtain and appearance of the radiant hero (“strong man;” Heb., _gibbor._ Comp. Judges 5:31). This want of twilight, this absence of silent preparation for the supreme moment, d... [ Continue Reading ]
THE LAW. — The ear catches even in the English the change of rhythm, which is as marked as the change of subject. Instead of the free lyric movement of the preceding verse, we come suddenly upon the most finished specimen of didactic poetry in regular metre, exhibiting a perfect balance of expressio... [ Continue Reading ]
RIGHT. — Here in its original sense of “straight,” or direct. A fine moral insight suggested this touch. The road of duty, when plain and unmistakable, inspires a sense of gladness, even if it be difficult and dangerous. “Stern Lawgiver, yet thou dost wear The Godhead’s most benignant grace; Nor kn... [ Continue Reading ]
THE FEAR OF THE LORD. — Here plainly not a moral quality of the individual, but, as in Proverbs 15:33 (comp. Deuteronomy 17:19), religion, the service demanded by the Law, which, being _“_pure and undented,” endures, while the false systems of idolatrous nations perish. Based on the eternal principl... [ Continue Reading ]
HONEYCOMB. — (See margin.) The honey that drops from the comb is the finest and purest.... [ Continue Reading ]
WARNED. — Better, _illuminated, instructed. _... [ Continue Reading ]
His eulogium on the Law was not Pharisaic or formal, for the poet instantly gives expression to his sense of his own inability to keep it. If before we were reminded of St. Paul’s, “The law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good,” (Romans 7:12), his own spiritual experience, contained... [ Continue Reading ]
PRESUMPTUOUS SIN. — The Heb., from root meaning to “boil up” or “over,” is properly masculine, and always elsewhere means proud or arrogant men. (So Symmachus and Aquila.) Hence here explain, “Keep thy servant from the companionship of arrogant men, so that they may not get dominion over me, and lea... [ Continue Reading ]
MEDITATION. — Heb., _higgaîon._ (See Psalms 9:16; Psalms 92:3.)... [ Continue Reading ]